MESSAGES THROUGH SPACE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1018, 6 January 1911, Page 5

MESSAGES THROUGH SPACE.

SOME LONG-DISTANCE TALKING. During the run down from 'Frisco to Wellington the operator,. Mr. A. I). Gabriel, on tho Union Company's steamer Maitai, - did some long-distanco talking On two occasions, at least, the Maitai was in communication with stations 1200 miles away, the Californian coast beinj? "picked up" ; thrpe nights out from 'Frisco, and the , ulimaroa, which was 40 miles from Otago Heads at tho time was also spoken. Another 'time, when the Maitai was about 300 miles from San Francisco, her operator heard the s.s. 4 Mariposa, 600 miles.away, trying to get into communication with the American .port, but the distance proved too great, and the meseage had to be transmitted by the Maitni's instrument. The machine is exactly similar to that on the Aorangi, and has been working very, well on this its first trial. Last'night, however, owing to the condition of the carborundum used, the machine/was faulty and although it "was ascertainedthat the Ulimaroa, which was en route, from Lyttelton to Wellington, could distinctly hear messages from the the latter-vessel was at a disadvantage in receiving them owing to the .condition stated above. •

Tlie new plant for the G.P.O. station at Wellington arrived by the Maitai, and a start will be made to instal it immediately. Next week it is hoped to have, everything going in full swing, and Wellington will have the distinction of having the 'first fully-equipped station in the dominion.